Convertible clutch purse

ABSTRACT

A convertible clutch purse is disclosed that converts to a billowy sash and vice versa. The purse is formed of an elongated composite fabric structure having an inner sheet and an outer billowed sheet attached together to form, in one embodiment, a generally oval shaped body. A selectively closable pocket is sandwiched between the inner and outer sheets, wherein the pocket is accessible along one edge joining the inner and outer sheets, and wherein the sash may be folded into the pocket to convert the sash into the clutch purse. An alternative embodiment converts from the purse to a stole or scarf having free ends.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/368,523, filed Feb. 8, 2012, entitled Convertible Clutch Purse, whichclaims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/573,315, filed Sep. 2, 2011, entitled Pocket(s) BandolierConvertible into Clutch-Purse and/or Belt-Carrier, and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/567,473, filed Dec. 6, 2011, entitledConvertible Scarf, the content of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,634,031 and D505787 disclose typical over-the-shoulderpocket bandoliers. People, particularly women, often select their pursesand/or scarves in a manner to complement their clothing. However, overthe shoulder pocket bandoliers such as shown in these patents, are notconstructed or designed as a garment to complement a wearer's outfit ormake a complementary fashion statement. A sash, on the other hand, isoften used to complement a wearer's outfit. Most women, for example ifusing such a garment as a bandolier or sash, would still opt, inaddition, for carrying a clutch purse or a strapped purse over oneshoulder in a normal manner. In such a case, one often will lay herpurse down when handling merchandise, for example, which can lead toinadvertent misplacement or theft of one's purse. Therefore there is aneed for a product that can carry normal purse items so as to circumventsuch problems, and still look like part of the person's collectiveoutfit.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure directly addresses this problem. A convertiblesash in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosureprovides a decorative billowing bandolier or sash that looks like adecorative billowing wrap, shawl or sash, but has, within its folds, aclosable pocket into which personal items such as lipstick, wallet, combcan be stored while still retaining its draped, billowy shape when worn.In addition, when the pocket is turned inside out, the billowy sash canbe stuffed into this pocket to convert it into a clutch purse. Thepocket is of sufficient size to carry the typical content of a clutchpurse in addition to the sash.

Another embodiment may further include a set of tails attached to theside edges of the clutch purse that can be either tied or snap fastenedtogether to make the clutch purse into a waist pack.

A still further embodiment is a scarf or stole, that includes a pocketinto which, when turned inside out, the scarf or stole can be stuffed toconvert the scarf into a clutch purse.

Further features, advantages and characteristics of the embodiments ofthis disclosure will be apparent from reading the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the drawing figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a person wearing a billowing sash inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is separate perspective view of the billowing sash shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a separate perspective view of the billowing sash shown inFIG. 2 with the pocket turned inside out.

FIG. 4 is a separate perspective view of the sash partially folded intothe pocket to form the clutch purse.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a convertible scarf in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of either the billowy sash or convertiblescarf partially folded into the clutch purse with tails to form a waistpack in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of a convertible sash/clutch purse 100 is shownin FIG. 1 worn by a woman 102. The convertible sash/clutch purse 100 isseparately shown in FIGS. 2-4. The sash 100 is an elongated body havinga continuous general oval shape, formed from two sheets preferably sewntogether. The sash 100 has a fabric inner sheet 104 that forms agenerally body hugging sash. This inner sheet 104 is sewn or otherwisefastened along its outer edges to a loosely billowed outer fabric sheet106. Along a portion of an upper edge of the inner sheet 104 one side ofa zipper 108 is sewn. The zipper 108 is also sewn to one edge of agenerally rectangular pocket 110. The other side of the zipper 108 issewn to an upper edge of the billowy outer fabric sheet 106 so as tosandwich the pocket 110 between the inner sheet 104 and the outer sheet106.

The inner sheet 104 may be formed of any fabric material. A smoothfabric such as satin or silk may be preferred so as to ride comfortablyagainst the wearer's clothing. The outer sheet 106 may be any one of anumber of decorative fabrics that is chosen to complement a portion ofthe person's clothing such as blouse, skirt or pants, and may be finewoven or coarse, and may be patterned or plain. The outer sheet 106 ispreferably larger than the inner sheet 104 such that when sewn together,the outer sheet 106 billows and drapes loosely on the wearer 102 aboutthe inner sheet 104 forming the sash 100. Such a construction also hidesthe pocket 110 when worn, as the pocket 110 typically may containnumerous items that the wearer normally would carry in a separate purse.

Because of the billowy nature of the outer sheet 106, a drawstring 111may also be provided around the perimeter so that the wearer can adjustthe amount of billow that the sash 100 presents when worn. A second orthird smaller pocket (not shown) could also be provided in the sash 100for storage of particularly vital small items such as extra cash orkeys.

The sash 100 is preferably worn as shown in FIG. 1. The wearer 102 canalso take off the sash 100 and open the zipper 108, pull inside-out thepocket 110, as shown in FIG. 3, and then stuff the sash 100 into thepocket 110 as is shown in FIG. 4. The pocket 110 then becomes the clutchpurse. Alternatively, the pocket 110 may have tails or belt straps 112sewn or removably attached to its lateral outer edges, as shown in FIG.6. These belt straps 112 preferably terminate in male/female matingbuckles 114 such that the clutch purse (converted sash 100)alternatively can be worn as a waist pack. These straps 112 may, forexample, be fastened to the pocket 110 via snap fasteners, or sewn tothe pocket 110.

An alternative convertible scarf or stole 200 is shown in FIG. 5. Herethe convertible scarf or stole 200 is formed in the same manner as thesash 100 except that the ends of the fabric sheets are not joined acontinuous loop or sash. The scarf or stole 200 is formed of an innersheet 202 sewn to an outer sheet 204 with a zippered pocket 206 that canbe utilized identically to that shown and described with reference tothe convertible sash 100 above.

There are many alternatives and modifications that will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. For example, the scarf or stole 200 may beconfigured by another zipper along its bottom ends such that the endsmay be joined together to form a virtual equivalent to the sash 100described above. The sash 100 may be configured with zippered pockets110 on both sides of the sash 100 in a mirror configuration. The sash100 may also include a short sleeve portion for the upper arm of thewearer such that it will not slip down off the wearer's shoulder whenworn during exercise. All such changes, alternatives and equivalents inaccordance with the features and benefits described herein, are withinthe scope of the present disclosure. Such changes and alternatives maybe introduced without departing from the spirit and broad scope of myinvention as defined by the claims below and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A convertible sash/clutch purse comprising: anelongated composite fabric sash having an inner annular sheet and anouter loosely billowed annular sheet attached together to form acontinuous generally oval ring shaped body of a circumference sufficientto drape loosely around a wearer's neck and one of the wearer'sshoulders; and a selectively closable pocket separate from and attachedto the inner and outer sheets and sandwiched between the inner and outersheets, wherein the pocket is accessible along one edge joining theinner and outer sheets, and wherein the sash may be folded into thepocket to convert the sash into a clutch purse, wherein the looselybillowed outer sheet of the sash loosely drapes on the wearer andsubstantially hides content of the pocket when worn around the wearer'sneck.
 2. The purse according to claim 1 wherein the closable pocketincludes a zipper closure along a seam between the inner and outersheets.
 3. The purse according to claim 2 further comprising a strapextending from each opposite side of the pocket configured to convertthe purse to a waist pack.